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Hugill Set For Vale Exit

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The Valiants have been a handed a further contract blow with the news that striker Jordan Hugill has rejected a deal and will leave the club.

Following the departures of Doug Loft, Billy Knott and Jennison Myrie-Williams, this news comes as perhaps more of a surprise. The 22 year old was playing for Marske United a year ago before joining Vale on a development contract. A spell out on loan at Gateshead persuaded manager Micky Adams to recall the bustling centre forward and he made an immediate impression on his entry to League One football.

Hugill ended the campaign with 5 goals from 8 starts and 16 substitute appearances. With a Micky Adams pre-season to look forward to it was hoped that Hugill would emerge fitter and sharper as he continued his development with the Valiants. It will be interesting to note his next move. With Tom Pope likely to keep Hugill out of the side, he may well feel it is beneficial to seek first team football elsewhere, in all probability at a lower level. That would arguably be a brave move. Moving to a club where he is likely to taste less first team action than at Vale, with Preston North End one of those linked, would seem a short-sighted move, which would benefit his agent more than anyone else.

Adams was fairly sanguine about the development, but expressed some surprise that Hugill has elected to leave. Speaking to The Sentinel

“It is disappointing. After the part we played in the last year of getting him to where he is and getting him noticed, we look like losing out on him.

“That is football. Yes I am disappointed, but after discussions with his agent it looks like he will be moving.

“We spent a lot of time and effort with Jordan last season, but we will have to accept it. Nobody ever has to sign at a club. He obviously thinks it is better to move elsewhere, or his agent does.’

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